Sunday, 21 February 2016

Three Friends - Gentle Giant (Part II)

Hugh never batted an eyelid when trusting a bunch of flowers into his hand, a couple of evenings ago, and wishing him "Happy Anniversary", but he did look a little bewildered. On the other hand, Janet accepted the box of Thorntons Chocolates while simply asking "what's all this about then Bags"? Luckily, that moment coincided with my 'standing' Monday evening dinner date over at Harbins Farmhouse so over a nicely chilled Moët et Chandon it was revealed that it was the 10th Anniversary of our meeting in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Except when necessity or sensibility dictates 'group travel' is not for me but, in such instances as Antarctica, where there is no other way the bullet should be bitten! In 2006 and with Government Forces slaughtering the Tamils in the north and the aftermath of a recent Tsunami in the south the sensible option, as far as Sri Lanka was concerned, was taken. In addition to that, and admittedly on a particularly heavy night on the 'scrumpy', and right against the grain an acquaintance/friend was also invited along. Both, fortunately for me turned out to be most beneficial to my well being and enjoyment of that fantastic trip.

While none of the names of other members of the group are remembered,

my friend Alex Robinson stands 4th from left, Hugh is 4th from right

with Janet in front of him. An effigy of Buddha is sat crossed-legged left

while our guide Prya (pronounced Pre) sits right.

The rest of the Post will simply be a pictorial of just some of the fabulous Wildlife that equally welcoming country had to offer, with some 'scenes' to follow at a later date, maybe manana!

THE TEARDROP of INDIA

with our track in red corresponding to road travel and rail in yellow.

Wild

ASIAN ELEPHANT

and captives in a
Transit Compound.

CEYLONESE JUNGLE-FOWL

SAMBAR DEER

BRAHMINY KITE

Large, Daytime-Flying Moth?

CHANGEABLE HAWK-EAGLE
TOQUE MACAQUE

BLUE-TAILED BEE-EATER

LITTLE GREEN BEE-EATER

WATER BUFFALO

PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA

FLYING FOX

l to r Hugh, Guide, Janet, Moi, ?, Alex and Prya 'scoping

SMALL PRATINCOLE
on the way to

WILPATTU NATIONAL PARK

INDIAN PEACOCK

HANUMAN LANGUR

PLAINTIVE CUCKOO

INDIAN MUGGER

PAINTED STORK

LAND MONITOR

SHAHEEN

STORK-BILLED KINGFISHER

Active
LEOPARD

Settle down now!

Hugh and I enjoying a well deserved cuppa Chai.

Fate is a strange 'Ol Character, who could have guessed that

we 3 would go on to form such a Strong Friendship?

I/We came across Gentle Giant (formally Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, of little more fame than 'Kites' and from Portsmouth) quite by chance. Having bought and aired 'Thank Christ for the Bomb' the latest offering from Groundhogs, fronted by Tony (TS 'top strat') Mcphee we were at pains to attend the promotional tour. We caught The 'Hogs at the Bournemouth Winter Gardens but found they had made the mistake of recruiting The Giants to 'open' for them. Anyone who has seen Gentle Giant perform 'live' will agree "you don't FOLLOW The Giants"!

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About Me

Born Beeston, Notts 1946, my family moved to Dorset 1959. Joined the Royal Navy age 15 years and 50 days serving 10 years. In frigates firstly then over 5 years in Submarines as a Seaman/Diver, reaching the dizzy heights of Leading Seaman before leaving to join the Merchant Service, working in Ocean Salvage and Harbour Tugs, passenger / cargo ships, trials vessels, etc. Qualified as Mate (Chief Officer) in 1976 and as Master (Captain) in 1978. For my final 20 years of 47 I worked in the Offshore Oil Industry initially on the drilling rig Stena Hunter, then the accommodation barge Borgland Dolphin and finally the Floating Production Platform Buchan Alpha. On the rigs I forged a number of long lasting friendships several of whom shared some of my extensive travels. Setting foot on Caymen, Bermuda, Bahamas and The Azores in March 2013 brought my countries total to 147. The best, undoubtedly, was Antarctica, followed by Australia, Mongolia, Belize, Zimbabwe, China and Madagascar, in no particular order. As for my greatest achievement in life, my 2 beautiful daughters bear witness to that. Love to all our readers, your in my thoughts. Bagsy